In some courts, the title of “presiding judge” is a rotating one, so it may not be any indication of faith in his judicial abilities, but instead merely a recognition of his longevity on the bench.
As to the petition, I suppose if there is an on-line version, it’s possible there’s an official one circulating somewhere. I am leery of petitions to remove judges because of a disagreement with a decision (see the petitions in California to remove the judges who are making the difficult decisions regarding gay rights, for example), but in this case, if this is a judge who has difficulty seeing the law for his personal feelings, maybe a petition and a good look-see by the commission are what he needs.
A good point. Started to look up how presidings were appointeed. Gave up. Maybe it’s like admin judges here in Michigan. Judge’s actually lobby not to get the job because it’s a bunch more work.
Yeah. It really shouldn’t take a petition. Any individual can complain. I suspect the calls from the papers, and the likely death threats, have already got his attention.